This post will answer the question, is stainless steel cookware safe? It will review the safety of stainless steel cookware, how to properly care for stainless steel, and what brands are the best to buy.
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If you are looking to purchase cookware you might be wondering if stainless steel is a good option. In particular you might be wondering if stainless steel cookware is safe and non toxic for health. In this article we will review why stainless steel is a great option when it comes to cookware and why it's safer than non-stick cookware.
Table of Contents
- What is stainless steel?
- The problem with non-stick cookware:
- Is stainless steel cookware safe?
- How to care for stainless steel cookware:
- Disadvantages of stainless steel cookware:
- The best stainless steel cookware:
- The best stainless steel and copper cookware:
- Other safe cookware options:
- The bottom line:
- Frequently asked questions:
- Other information you will be interested in:
- Our expertise:
What is stainless steel?
Stainless steel is an alloy containing chromium that is particularly resistant to tarnishing, rust and wear. It is commonly used in cookware, appliances, machinery, and even medical equipment. It is very popular in the restaurant industry, and you will find it not only being used in cookware, but also for utensils, cutlery, benchtops, fridges, ovens, stove tops and more.
Stainless steel is not only a high quality, durable metal, it is also a safe option and good choice when it comes to cooking. Stainless steel is not coated in potentially harmful non-stick coatings and holds up well over time. It does not contain toxic chemicals and won't release toxic fumes when you cook with it so it's one of the safest cookware options.
The problem with non-stick cookware:
Non-stick coatings and Teflon coatings are made with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The original coatings (like Teflon) are perfluorooctanoic acid (which is also known as PFOA, or C8).
The original PFAS chemicals (like Teflon) are known as “long-chain” because they have a long carbon and fluorine chain. Today, the production of the long carbon chain chemicals like PFOA and PFOS have been largely phased out. There are now new PFAS chemicals being used that are referred to as “small-chain” because they have a shorter carbon-fluorine chain. The problem with this new class of small chain chemicals is their small size which makes them even more persistent in the environment and even more difficult to clean up.
We get exposed to PFAS through many different means including through our cookware, drinking water, personal care products (such as makeup), period underwear, clothing, and air. And unfortunately, most of us have high levels of PFOA in our systems, with greater than 99% of the United States population found to have PFOA in their serum when tested in the 2003–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).
PFAS, even at low doses and in small amounts, can be dangerous to health and have many potential health concerns including but not limited to:
- They are endocrine disruptors or hormone disruptors.
- Can increase the chances of miscarriages in pregnancy.
- Affects the growth, learning, and behaviour of infants and older children.
- Increases risk of allergies and asthma in children.
- Decreases chances of getting pregnant.
- Increase the risks of certain cancers including thyroid and kidney cancer.
- Can cause metabolic diseases including obesity and diabetes.
- Can contribute to cardiovascular disease.
- Can cause thyroid disease.
- May cause inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
- Increase cholesterol levels.
- Can decrease sperm counts.
This is why I recommend avoiding non-stick cookware. The potential health risks of PFAS chemicals are just too high.
In recent years ceramic coated non-stick cookware has become very popular and is often marketed as safer than traditional non-stick cookware like Teflon, but unfortunately ceramic coated cookware can also have health risks.
Is stainless steel cookware safe?
For the most part the answer is yes, stainless steel is a safe cookware material.
Just be aware that stainless steel cookware does release low levels of nickel and chromium (these are types of heavy metals), especially if you are cooking acidic foods like tomatoes or tomato sauce. For most people the release of these low levels of nickel and chromium should not be a concern, but for those with nickel sensitivities or a chromium sensitivity or allergy, this nickel exposure or chromium exposure would be problematic.
As well, any damaged stainless steel pots and pans should be discarded to decrease your heavy metal exposure. Damaged stainless steel pots and pans will release higher levels of nickel and chromium, which you want to avoid.
Additionally, the amount of heavy metal leaching will depend on the type of stainless steel and stainless steel grade, cooking time, cookware use, and cookware care, so I recommend using high-quality, surgical-grade stainless steel cookware, and it’s even better if it’s nickel-free. Stainless steel lined copper cookware is also safe because the copper surface doesn’t come into contact with the food. It's also a good idea to care for your stainless steel cookware properly to prevent it from becoming damaged.
How to care for stainless steel cookware:
To help prevent your stainless steel cookware from becoming damaged it's important to care for it properly. When using cooking utensils, choose those made from materials that won't scratch the surface such as silicone or wood (avoid plastic utensils as they will release hormone disruptors into your food).
You should also be sure to clean your stainless steel cookware gently, being careful not to damage the surface of your pots and pans. These are the best ways to help ensure that your stainless steel cookware will last as long as possible.
Disadvantages of stainless steel cookware:
Now that we've discussed all the pros of stainless steel cookware I thought I would review a few cons.
Because stainless steel cookware is not non-stick and doesn't have a nonstick surface it can take a bit of practice to learn how to use it properly so that your food doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan.
To prevent food from sticking to stainless steel, simply pour a few drops of water onto a stainless-steel pan over high heat. If the drops crackle and slide onto the pan, it means it is the right temperature to start cooking. You can then reduce the heat slightly and add your food to the pan. Cooking over low heat also helps prevent food from sticking to stainless steel. Adding some fat or oil to the pan will also prevent food from sticking to stainless steel cookware.
Stainless steel cookware is also fairly heavy which can make it a bit harder to handle compared to other types of cookware.
The handles of stainless steel cookware will get hot when you use them cook with. This can easily be fixed by using an oven mitt when cooking with stainless steel.
The best stainless steel cookware:
Here are the stainless steel cookware items that I recommend, including stainless steel pans, stainless steel pots and stainless steel cookware sets. Just remember to avoid any stainless steel with non-stick surfaces or with ceramic enamel coatings.
All-Clad Stainless Steel Cookware
All Clad is one of the best known makers of stainless steel cookware. This is the stainless steel that I have and use in my own kitchen. I have had my pots and pans for years and not only do they work really well but they still look brand new.
Pros: High quality 18/10 stainless steel. They offer a lifetime warranty so they are very durable and will last a long time. Doesn't release any odours into food.
Cons: Hand washing is recommended. Not dishwasher safe. This is the main downside of this cookware, you do need to hand wash it to keep it looking good as new.
Uses: Oven and broiler safe up to 600°F so safe for high heat and high temperatures. They are also compatible with any stovetop, including induction cooktops.
Features: PFOA free, PTFE free (no nonstick coating)
Price: $699.95 USD.
Cuisinart Multiclad Pro Cookware Set
If you are looking for a more affordable stainless steel cookware option Cuisinart Multiclad Pro cookware is a great choice.
Pros: The cooking surface does not discolour, react with food or alter the flavour of food. Is dishwasher safe. Is induction safe, broiler safe and oven safe up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit. Has a lifetime warranty against defects. More affordable than many other cookware sets.
Cons: Some sticking of food can occur if you don't cook in stainless steel properly. It does have fewer layers compared to some other types of stainless steel cookware so won't be as durable, but this is also what makes it more affordable.
Features: PFOA free, PTFE free.
Price: $229.99 USD
Heritage Steel Cookware Set
If you are looking for an even higher quality and more durable type of stainless steel cookware, Heritage Steel stainless steel cookware is a great investment. It is strengthened with titanium to make it even more corrosion resistant and the molybdenum and titanium they add to the stainless steel alloy makes it 5-10 times more resistant to metal leaching compared to the typical 304 (18/10) types of stainless steel. In other words, this makes this cookware even safer!
Pros: Safe for use on any type of stovetop including induction cooktops and in the oven. Made with a specially designed ergonomic handle that is comfortable to hold and will not overheat on the stove. Made in the USA. Has a lifetime warranty. Is also dishwasher safe.
Cons: If you aren't used to cooking with stainless steel you may find your food sticking to the cookware so be sure to follow the cooking instructions. This set is more expensive than some of the others in this review but this cookware should last a lifetime so it is a great investment.
Features: PFOA free, PTFE free.
Price: $899.95 USD for a 10 piece set.
The best stainless steel and copper cookware:
All-Clad Copper Core Cookware
If you prefer Cooper lined stainless steel cookware, All-Clad Copper Core 5-Ply Stainless Steel Cookware is a great option. It is made with 5-ply bonded construction including stainless steel, aluminum, and a thick copper core which helps heat the cookware even faster. This type of cookware is more expensive than traditional stainless steel but some people find the splurge worth it.
Pros: Compatible with all cooktops including gas, electric and induction. Is oven and broiler-safe up to 600°F. Made in the USA. Won't warp or tarnish. Stick resistant. Durable.
Cons: It is dishwasher safe but hand washing is recommended. Is a more expensive option compared to other cookware on this list.
Features: PFOA free, PTFE free. No non-stick coating.
Price: $970 USD - $1543.99 USD depending on how many pieces you choose.
Other safe cookware options:
If you are looking for other safe cookware options beyond stainless steel here are some other great, non-toxic and safe options for you.
Cast iron cookware:
Cast iron is one of the most durable types of cookware and one of the most affordable. It is especially great for searing meat. There is a bit of a learning curve with using cast iron skillets but once you get the hang of cooking with them they are actually really easy to use. I have a couple Lodge Cast Iron skillets that I use and love.
Carbon steel cookware:
Carbon steel is similar to cast iron, but is lighter in weight and a bit easier to handle. It is also very durable and more affordable than stainless steel and should last a lifetime.
Pure ceramic cookware:
They key is pure ceramic. Most ceramic cookware on the market is actually ceramic coated, and the coatings are not pure ceramic. These are often advertised as a safer alternative to more traditional non-stick pots and pans but these ceramic coatings can also be made with potentially harmful materials. I have written an entire post about the risks of ceramic coated cookware which I highly recommend reading.
The bottom line:
The good news is that stainless steel is a safe type of cookware as long as you choose a high grade of stainless steel and care for it properly. Compared to nonstick cookware it is a safer, healthier option.
Frequently asked questions:
As I discuss in my article, How To Choose Safe Cookware there are a few different options that are safe for your health including:
Cast iron and carbon steel
Pure ceramic
High quality stainless steel
Other information you will be interested in:
- The best non toxic bakeware
- The safest cookware
- Is there mercury in your mascara?
- How to choose a non-toxic sunscreen
- How to choose non-toxic deodorant
Our expertise:
Dr. Erin Carter, MD, FRCPC, is a physician with board certifications in internal medicine and rheumatology. She is passionate about nutrition, environmental health and low toxicity living and has been doing research and publishing information in this area for years. She is also a self-trained chef and has been creating and publishing recipes since 2015. Her recipes have been featured on many different websites and online publications.
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